DES MOINES, Iowa – The Drake University women's basketball team starts 2016 with a New Years Day matinee against the Southern Illinois Salukis at the Knapp Center. Tipoff for the Missouri Valley Conference opening game for both teams is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Friday and will be broadcast online on ESPN3.
Drake (7-4), who dropped its final non-conference game at No. 25 Iowa on Dec. 22, will open 2016 moving forward from a 1-4 record in the month of December after a 6-0 start to the season. The Bulldogs are hoping for a similar start to MVC play in 2016 like last season when they ripped off nine straight league wins before falling at SIU.